Ok, yes, we all have to grow up. But so many of us are so eager to grow up we never really stop to enjoy the process of growing up. And that's why I'm here to say, growing up is overrated. (I'm not saying I want to remain as a child forever either though.)
#1: How do you even adult?
I'm on my last year of "teenagehood" and I can safely say I have no idea how to adult. Heck, I even fail at being a girl. I can't bun my hair, I can't cook (do noodles count?), and my teachers used to say I sit like those uncles at the coffeeshop.
I don't know how to adult, and while I'm being honest, I'm afraid to. It really makes me wonder how adults learnt to adult. How do you buy a house? Where do you go to make payments? How do you take bank loans? How do you drive? (Though I plan to take my license after graduation). How do you buy insurance? What's life insurance and why do you need it? How do you even invest?
We're not taught these so how do adults even know? Ok, I guess some of my teenaged readers probably might know some of these, I shan't discriminate. But if you do, teach me the ways please.
#2: Getting judged for liking "children's stuff"
Maybe not all of you but I do. Whenever people hear that I like Disney (insane over it, more like), their first reaction would be "Disney? That thing for kids?". No, just no. I love all things Disney to be honest, and I doubt it'll ever be something I'll grow out of. I can name quite a number of Disney songs and I consider that an achievement haha! I started liking Tinkerbell late (like, at 18) but it's got me hooked. (And in case you're wondering, my favorite Disney movie is Tangled).
I guess you could say I'm young at heart. I tend to squeal inwardly and strain to run to a toyshop (and bookshop). Y'know those Sylvanian Families toys? It's kinda my goal to collect them all one day (to which my boyfriend says it's expensive and we'll have nowhere to put them) But they're so cute tho...
I guess being an Early Childhood educator plays a part too. We're more inclined to see things from the children's point of view, and that includes toys hehehehe
#3: Not having enough time to actually enjoy the process of growing up
When we're 13, we can't wait to be 16. When we're 16, we can't wait to be 18. And when we're 20, we're like "I've lived through 2 decades oh my goodness, I'm getting old."
Thing is, we're so fixated on growing up we never actually stop to enjoy the process of growing up. We want to be a certain age quick that we never really stop to enjoy just being the age that we are at now. Of course, at our current age, we probably think that there will be better things awaiting us when we get older. I can't deny that I'm not looking forward to graduation and University. I am, I truly am. But it scares me too that that is only one or two years away. It felt like just yesterday that I entered Polytechnic and now I'm a year closer to graduating? Time really flies.
Time flies. Hence, if you're always so keen to grow up, you won't truly appreciate the moment that you have right now. How would you enjoy the present when all you're looking at is the future?
For most of my life I've been fixated on the future, namely where do I want to go next, what do I want to do, what's going to happen. I've never really stopped to enjoy the present. Take a minute to breathe. In this hectic society, I've got to admit, it isn't easy stopping. Stop and breathe. Look around you. Live in the present.
Ever since I met him, I've learnt to take each day as it comes. For me, living each day to the fullest, or at least trying to, has become this insanely wonderful soul-settling feeling. I feel calmer. I'm actually able to witness my own personal growth. Previously, I'd have never noticed how I became a certain way. Now, because I've stopped to see, I can see myself slowly becoming someone that I want to be.
xoxo
Nicabeth
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